White House sticks by Afghan war strategy

by Karen DeYoung - Sept. 18, 2010 12:00 AMWashington Post

WASHINGTON - Despite discouraging news from Afghanistan and growing doubts in Congress and the American public, the Obama administration has concluded that its war strategy is sound and that a December review, once seen as a pivotal moment, is unlikely to yield any major changes.

This resolve arises amid a flurry of reports from outside experts and former officials who are convinced that the administration's path in Afghanistan is unsustainable and its objectives are unclear. Lawmakers from both parties are insisting that they be given a bigger say in assessing the war's trajectory.

The White House calculus is that the strategy retains enough public and political support to weather any near-term objections. Officials do not expect real pressure for progress and a more precise definition of goals to build until next year, with the approach of a July deadline President Barack Obama has set for decisions on troop withdrawals and the beginning of the 2012 electoral season.

"The fundamentals are in the place where they should be," a senior administration official said. Any adjustments will be akin to "moving the rabbit ears around a little bit to get better reception," he said. "I don't think we'll be changing the channel come December."

Over the next three months, the Obama administration expects measurable military progress in five areas, according to several officials authorized to discuss the situation on condition of anonymity.

They include the elimination of Taliban sanctuaries outside Kandahar and continued targeting of senior insurgent leaders, an increase in the disappointing number of Taliban fighters brought into a government reintegration scheme, the development of newly authorized local defense forces, and improvement in the capabilities of national security forces.